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“I don’t like my stomach being touched.” Pulling back, her eyes well with tears. Dropping my hand, I cup her cheek, wanting to understand what’s causing her pain.

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m not like those girls you’ve been with before.”

“I didn’t ask you to be,” I said defensively. I don’t want her to change.

“I have scars.”

“I have scars too.”

Izel huffs, but I see the corner of her mouth twitch. Reaching up, I cup the back of her neck. Squeezing, her eyes flare, arousal flashing in those beautiful green eyes.

“I like those scars–”

“You’ve never seen them.”

“Red, you’re going to learn very quickly, I tolerate very little. One of those things–”

Izel tries shifting back, but the grip I have on her neck stops her. “Zion, you don’t know everything,” she whispers, interrupting me, again.

“Interrupt me again, I’m going to shove your panties down your throat.” Raising a brow, I wait for her to say something. Only her eyes narrow, but there’s something else there. She’s aroused by the idea. That’ll come in handy for later.

“Now that we understand each other, let me explain something else to you. I don’t care about your scars,” I mumble, dragging my hand across her stomach. Dragging her face closer to mine, my lips brush against hers. “I’ll kiss every single one of them, no matter where they are.” Trailing my hand up higher, I groan at the fact she’s not wearing a bra. I waste no time cupping her bare breast. I don’t know how my cock becomes even harder in my pants, but he does. Squeezing her breast, my thumb brushes over her nipple.

Izel moans, her eyes dropping closed. But I can’t have that, I want her eyes on me. I need them on me all the time now.

“Nuh uh,” I tsk. “Eyes on me, Red.”

Her eyes flash open, her hips bucking against my groin. I can’t take this anymore. I know I should wait. Lay her down in bed, but I need her now. I need to feel her warmth around me, and I need it now.

Letting go of her breast, I un-flick my button, ready to pull my zipper down when my phone begins to ring.

“Fuck,” I mutter. This can’t be happening. I know the only reason someone would be calling me is if it’s important.

One hand on her neck, I dig into my back pocket pulling my phone out. Alex.

FUCK.

I never forget. I have a job, and I let myself get distracted.

I don’t bother answering it. Tucking it back into my pocket, I turn my focus back on Izel. There’s no way what I say is going to sound good, it’s all going to sound like an excuse.

“I have to go,” I mumble, hating her hurt expression. Hating that she jerks herself away from me. But that doesn’t stop me from bending down and kissing her forehead.

I hate leaving her, knowing she’s thinking of all the reasons I could be leaving. There’s no good excuse for it. So, before I second guess my decision to leave, I grab my mask from the table, pulling it on. Grabbing my Glock from my office, I rush to the garage, before climbing into my truck and speeding off.

13

Zion

Bloodsplattersoverthebathroom stall. Snapping a picture, I send it off to Alex, already knowing he’s going to give me shit for being late. I don’t care about the cut difference, the only thing I want right now is Izel and I know she’s likely to ignore me or curse me out without using any colorful language.

“This is why you left?”

I swing around, not believing my ears. Yet, sure enough, Izel stands against the door, arms crossed over her chest. I thought I had locked the door; I swore I had.

This also begs the question, how the fuck did she get here?